The Best Greens: How to Identify Powerful Greens Powder

Caya KerkhofOrthomolecular Advisor23 august 20245 min. reading time

Green powders, also known as greens, are likely not unfamiliar to you. They provide an easy way to get your daily portion of vegetables and nutrients, especially if you have a busy lifestyle or simply don't always feel like eating a plate full of vegetables. Whether you want to work on healthier eating or improve your health in another way, greens can assist you. With greens powder, you can effortlessly add extra vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your diet. It's a quick solution for those who find it difficult to consume enough vegetables every day.

But not all greens powders are the same. How do you identify the best greens powders? In this blog, you'll learn exactly what to look for.

What are greens?

Greens are concentrated powders made from dried and ground vegetables, algae, grasses, and other green superfoods that are packed with nutrients. These powders are designed to provide you with a substantial dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants quickly and easily. Greens often contain a mix of various ingredients such as spirulina, chlorella, barley grass, green tea, and a variety of vegetable and fruit extracts.

These superfoods have been used for their benefits for a long time, but in powder form, they are very convenient for daily use. Do remember that greens are always a supplement to your diet and not a replacement for meals.1

Want to know more? Read all about greens here.

What is the difference with a multivitamin?

You might think greens are quite similar to a multivitamin. What sets greens apart from regular multivitamins is the natural origin of the nutrients. Because the ingredients are minimally processed, the nutrients are better preserved. This results in a product that is closer to nature. Additionally, greens contain complete powders that include various vitamins and minerals instead of one specific added vitamin.

An example of this is barley grass. This is a young, green shoot of the barley plant (Hordeum vulgare). The beauty of this is that these green shoots contain vitamins such as A, C, and K, and minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Another great example is spinach powder, which is made from dried and ground spinach leaves. It ensures that most of the nutrients from fresh spinach, including vitamins (A, C, K, and folic acid), minerals (iron, calcium, magnesium), and antioxidants are retained.

This makes greens powder a popular choice among those who want to get the most out of their healthy lifestyle.

What are greens good for?

Greens powder is not just a fad. The green powder has various benefits that can help you work on your health:

Support of the immune system: The high concentrations of vitamins such as vitamin C (from various natural vegetable and fruit powders) support the immune system and activate the natural energy in your body. You also regularly find green tea in greens to support the immune system.
Natural detoxification: An ingredient like chlorella has a beneficial effect on the function of the gallbladder, liver, and kidneys (organs with a detoxifying function). Thus, chlorella promotes the detoxification of the body.
Support of digestion: Many greens contain fibres from various sources (such as rye, sugar beet, oat grain, barley grain fibres) and enzymes that support digestion and contribute to the gut flora. Green tea also supports the proper functioning of digestion.
Energy levels: Due to the rich nutrients in spirulina, for example, many people feel more energetic and vital. Green tea and vitamin C also support energy levels.

How to find the best greens: 4 tips to consider

The supplements might overwhelm you. So many providers, so many types of greens. It's good to realise that not all greens powders are equal. Some greens contain many fillers or have low bioavailability. This means you benefit less from the nutrients. Therefore, it's important to know what to look for when choosing a greens powder.

Here's a checklist to identify the best greens:

Quality of ingredients: Check if the powder contains only pure ingredients without additives. Inspect the ingredient list for fillers like maltodextrin, sugars, or artificial additives. If these are at the top of the list, it means they are present in larger quantities. This is a sign that the product contains fewer concentrated nutrients. The fewer unnecessary additions, the better. This ensures that you only get the nutrients you really need.
Bioavailability: Some powders contain ingredients like black pepper extract (bioperine) to improve nutrient absorption or certain fibres and enzymes that support digestion. This is a good sign of a quality product, as it shows that the manufacturer has considered the bioavailability and absorption of the nutrients.
Patented substances: Check if the powder contains certain ingredients that are patented for a reason. Patented nutrients are tested for efficacy and meet all quality requirements. Digezyme® is an example of a unique, patented mix of 5 specific enzymes.
Reviews and recommendations: Read what others say about the product. Good reviews and recommendations from others can help you make an informed choice.

How to combine your greens

Want to take your greens drink to the next level? Combine your greens drink with, for example, collagen powder or protein powder. Collagen enhances your skin from the inside out, and proteins contribute to muscle mass growth. By combining smartly, you can give your body exactly what it needs.

A good example of this is combining greens with protein powder after a workout. The proteins help with muscle recovery after physical exertion, while the greens provide you with many other essential nutrients.

Try this recipe for a power smoothie. This smoothie is not only nutritious but also deliciously refreshing and easy to make.

Here's what you need:

1 scoop of greens powder
1 scoop of collagen powder
1 banana
250 ml (almond) milk
A handful of spinach
1 tablespoon of chia or hemp seeds

How to make it: Blend everything in a blender until smooth. Enjoy it as a breakfast or after your workout for an energy boost!

Buying greens? Here's what to consider

There are many greens on the market, but not all are equally good. Here are 3 tips to choose a good product:

Dosage: Ensure that the powder contains a high dosage of the ingredients you find most important. Always read the label to see how much of each ingredient is in the powder.
Synergistic substances: Look for powders that combine multiple ingredients for broader nutrient coverage. If these ingredients work well together, they enhance each other's effects, making the product work better than when you take the ingredients separately. This is called synergy.
Flavours and texture: Since you'll be using the powder regularly, it's important that it also tastes good. There's a good chance you'll need to get used to the taste of greens, so give yourself some time to get to know the new flavour. Some greens powders can taste bitter or "green". Try a few different brands until you find one you like.

Good to know

Greens powders are a great addition to your daily routine, but it's important to choose a high-quality product. Pay attention to the ingredients, bioavailability, and any additives. Combine your greens with other supplements like collagen or proteins to give your body exactly what it needs.

Looking for the best greens? Check out our range at Vitaminstore.nl and discover which one suits you best. Have any questions? Our Health Coaches are ready to help you make the right choice.